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Ava Johnson

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The southfacing side of Nassau Hall, a large building covered in Ivy.

‘Diversity and Excellence goes hand in hand’: Diversify the faculty

Faculty diversity is important for many of the same reasons that student diversity is — diverse identities bring diverse perspectives that enrich an academic environment, and are especially important to make a diversity of students feel welcome. 

Faculty diversity is important for many of the same reasons that student diversity is — diverse identities bring diverse perspectives that enrich an academic environment, and are especially important to make a diversity of students feel welcome. 


Leaves are falling in front of East Pyne.

Princetonians can fight fake news: on online disinformation and our political responsibility

“Reporting and blocking accounts that post intentionally misleading information or disinformation, or having difficult conversations with friends, peers, and family members helps fight misinformation and strengthen our democracy.”

“Reporting and blocking accounts that post intentionally misleading information or disinformation, or having difficult conversations with friends, peers, and family members helps fight misinformation and strengthen our democracy.”


A photo of the arch between Dickinson Hall and the University Chapel: a high stone double gothic arch with a blue sky behind.

Now more than ever, we need to know our history

Historical context is crucial in understanding the events that are taking place in the society we live in today. If Princeton’s goal is to equip its students to become responsible, open-minded, and critically thinking members of society in the present, it must keep its students engaged with the past.

Historical context is crucial in understanding the events that are taking place in the society we live in today. If Princeton’s goal is to equip its students to become responsible, open-minded, and critically thinking members of society in the present, it must keep its students engaged with the past.


A wide shot of a lawn with a bicycle and two Adirondack chairs in the foreground. A group of students mill in the background in front of a white marble building.

Community is built on empathy; stop politicizing it

“The idea of creating “safe spaces” has been politicized and weaponized as part of a culture war when in reality it is merely a precursor to being in community with others.”

“The idea of creating “safe spaces” has been politicized and weaponized as part of a culture war when in reality it is merely a precursor to being in community with others.”


An ivy-covered building with brightly lit benches and a bike rack in front.

Diversity isn’t only important for excellence, it’s important for everything

“But in settings where these outcomes specifically are less important, diversity remains very important — because diversity promotes positive outcomes beyond just excellence.”

“But in settings where these outcomes specifically are less important, diversity remains very important — because diversity promotes positive outcomes beyond just excellence.”


The new age of legacy admissions isn't about preserving culture, but driving change

"But we should also recognize that legacies can contribute something unique, not just to 'preserve' Princeton’s traditions, as is often argued, but also to change them."

“But we should also recognize that legacies can contribute something unique, not just to ‘preserve’ Princeton’s traditions, as is often argued, but also to change them.”


Gothic courtyard with criss crossing pathways and leaves changing color from green to yellow.

Reactions: The opinions left unsaid

Over the course of the last year, the Opinion section has published 211 columns. Though there has been much opined, even more has been left unsaid. We asked our columnists to share their opinions on topics that did not become a full piece. 

Over the course of the last year, the Opinion section has published 211 columns. Though there has been much opined, even more has been left unsaid. We asked our columnists to share their opinions on topics that did not become a full piece. 


Witherspoon, tree perspective, ominous day, leaves.jpg

Acknowledgement is not enough: Princeton must tangibly support the enslaved communities that built it

“Princeton has clearly expressed its goal to serve the nation, but in order to do so, it must attempt to correct its participating role in the history of American injustice. Creating a program that promotes the enrollment of students who belong to communities previously oppressed by the University is a tangible way to right these past wrongs.”

"Princeton has clearly expressed its goal to serve the nation, but in order to do so, it must attempt to correct its participating role in the history of American injustice. Creating a program that promotes the enrollment of students who belong to communities previously oppressed by the University is a tangible way to right these past wrongs."


New college common space

Orient first-years with all of Princeton, not just each other

"The administration seems to be relatively successful in facilitating bonds between students of the same year: Why can’t they do this between freshman and upperclassmen?"

The administration seems to be relatively successful in facilitating bonds between students of the same year: Why can’t they do this between freshman and upperclassmen?


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